Box Score
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Media Relations

Box Score

DULUTH, Minn. (Nov. 11, 2012)-- Leading nearly wire-to-wire and weathering a late comeback attempt, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside men's basketball team opened up its 2012-2013 campaign on a positive note on Sunday, downing host University of Minnesota-Duluth, 67-61, inside Romano Gymnasium.

"It was almost the same game as Monday's exhibition, the difference was we came through down the stretch with seniors making some big plays," said head coach Luke Reigel, now in his 10th season at the helm.

UWP's Jeremy Saffold converted a three the old fashioned way with 8:31 remaining in the second half, drawing a foul while converting a layup and sinking a free throw, giving the Rangers the 51-44 lead. The Bulldogs (0-1) responded, accounting for nine of the next 10 points to take their first lead of the game at 53-52 with 4:23 remaining. A Saffold bucket the ensuing possession put the Rangers (1-0) back on top and the visitors never trailed the rest of the way, taking control of the game the final 2:39 of play.

UW-Parkside held a tenuous 57-56 lead at that juncture after a pair of Ben Bucholz free throws. The Rangers once again stepped up to the challenge as Conrad Krutwig canned a three, kick starting a 7-0 run for the Rangers to secure the season opening victory.  

UW-Parkside never trailed in the opening half, taking a 32-25 lead into the locker room at intermission. The Rangers led by a game-high 10 points with 92 seconds remaining after mounting a 13-5 spurt, turning a razor-thin two point lead into a short lived double digit buffer.

Saffold paced the Rangers with a game-high 22 points while also grabbing a team-best eight rebounds. Kevin Senechalle was the second UWP player in double figures, coming off the bench and adding 10 points in just 15 minutes of action. Bryant Smith dished out four assists while tallying five steals along with his eight points.

Jake Hottenstine led the Bulldogs with 22 points. Brett Ervin chipped in a dozen points while Austin Pohlen paced UM-Duluth on the boards with seven rebounds.

UW-Parkside's defense limited the Bulldogs to shooting just 29.6 percent (eight-for-27) in the opening frame while holding the home side to just 37.5 percent shooting (21-for-56) for the game.

"I thought the defense won the game for us today. It's a nice win; this will make the long hour bus ride a little bit sweeter."

The Rangers return to the court on Tuesday, opening up their home slate against Indiana Dabney University. Tip-off inside DeSimone Gymnasium is slated for 7 p.m.